Search at Gul Plaza enters fifth day, 60 bodies recovered so far

The search operation at the fire-ravaged Gul Plaza building in Karachi entered its fifth day on Thursday. Rescue teams have completed searches in about 70 per cent of the section partially affected by the fire, recovering a total of 60 bodies so far. Deputy Commissioner South visited the site Thursday morning to review relief operations. He said the first phase focused on areas of the building that had not collapsed and where the structure was still standing. “So far, DNA samples of 50 bodies have been obtained, while some bodies have burned to such an extent that extracting DNA from bones has become difficult,” he added. The second phase of the rescue operation will focus on collapsed debris, using heavy machinery. The Deputy Commissioner said extra caution would be required, as locating human remains, identifying them, and separating them from rubble is a complex and sensitive process. Efforts will be made to carefully recover the bodies and hand them over to their families. Read: Rescuers discover 30 bodies in single shop in Gul Plaza Since the incident, families of 80 missing persons have filed reports with the administration. On instructions from senior officials, police and Rangers have restricted welfare organisations, including the Edhi Foundation and Chhipa, from entering Gul Plaza. The operation is now being managed by the Sindh government-run Rescue 1122, with other welfare groups and the fire brigade working under its supervision. On Thursday, a group of more than 25 relatives, including women, attempted to enter the building but were stopped by authorities. The group raised slogans against the Pakistan Peoples Party and in support of MQM founder. Meanwhile, the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) and the Pakistan Engineering Council visited Gul Plaza on Thursday, where a technical committee declared the building unsafe and recommended that it be demolished after the completion of the rescue operation.  SBCA technical committee member Arif Qasim said Gul Plaza covers an area of 8,124 square yards and comprises 1,102 shops. He maintained that the entire plaza was gutted after a fire broke out on Saturday night, adding that adjacent plazas were also inspected as part of the safety assessment. Karachi mayor visits families of Gul Plaza victims Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab visited the homes of families affected by the Gul Plaza incident, expressing condolences and pledging support for their rehabilitation. He met the families of victims Rehman, Hisaam and Sarfraz, offering sympathy and expressing deep sorrow over their loss. “In this difficult time, we stand with the families of the victims,” he said. Wahab said the loss of human life could not be compensated and vowed continued support until recovery efforts were complete. “There is no substitute for a human life. We will not rest until the complete rehabilitation of the victims,” he said. The mayor also announced measures to help restore the affected families’ businesses, saying economic recovery was a priority alongside humanitarian assistance. “The Sindh government will not sit in peace until the victims are fully rehabilitated,” he said. He added that rescue operations were still under way at the site. “Rescue personnel of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation are still engaged in the rescue operation,” he said. Wahab said efforts were being made to ensure that victims’ remains were returned to their families as soon as possible. “Our effort is to hand over the loved ones of the victims to their families at the earliest,” he said. Tessori calls for lessons, not blame Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori said tragedies such as the Gul Plaza incident must never be repeated, urging stakeholders to focus on unity rather than blame game. Speaking at a press conference at the Governor House on Thursday, he said the country needed collective support to move forward. “Instead of reopening old wounds and engaging in blame games, we should support one another and move forward,” he said. He said Pakistan’s priorities should centre on economic strength, education and security. “Our core slogan should be to make Pakistan economically strong, advance education, and eliminate terrorism from the country. We must give education to children and employment to all,” Tessori said. Addressing the trading community, Tessori said the country’s leadership was actively working to stabilise the economy. “We want to convey to the traders’ community that the prime minister and the field marshal are fully playing their roles in strengthening the country economically,” he said. Calling for political consensus, he urged all stakeholders to agree on long-term economic policies. “It is essential that all political parties and the business community come together and sign a Charter of Economy, ensuring continuity and stability in economic policies,” he said.

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